a 


THE REAL GLORY OF A CHURCH 


A 


DEDICATION SERMON, 


PREACHED IN 
‘FAYETTEVILLE, NORTH-CAROLINA, 
AT THE 
OPENING OF THE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH, 
WHICH WAS 
DESTROVED BY FIRE 


IN THE 


CONFLAGRATION OF THE TOWN ON THE 29th OF MAY, 1831, AND RE-BUILT 
AND DEDICATED AUGUST 12th, 1832. 


TO WHICH IS APPENDED 


AN ACOUNT OF THE 


DESTRUCTION OF FAYETTEVILLE. 


BY HENRY A. ROWLAND, June 
PASTOR OF THE CHURCH. 


Mew-K ork : 


PUBLISHED BY JONATHAN LEAVITT, 122 BROADWAY, 
AND JOHN P. HAVEN, 148 NASSAU-STREET. 


D. Fanshaw, Printer, 150 Nassau-street. 


Digitized by the Internet Archive - 
in 2022 with funding from 
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill 


https://archive.org/details/realgloryofchurcOOrowl 


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ADVERTISEMENT. 


The nature of the occasion, rather than any merit 
which the author conceives to be attached to this 
_ discourse, irrespective of individual wishes expressed 
for its publication, render it proper in his view to 
give it to the public. He does this in the hope that 
it may be the means of retaining the remembrance 
of that event which gave occasion for the exercise 
of such unexampled kindness ; and that it may be a 
testimony to the power of Christian sympathy, and 
the liberality of Christian benevolence. 


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SERMON. 


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Haggai, 2: 9. 


THE GLORY OF THIS LATTER HOUSE SHALL BE GREATER THAN 
THE GLORY OF THE FORMER, SAITH THE LORD OF HOSTS. 


THE occasion on which we are assembled naturally 
leads our minds to reflect on the loving kindness and 
tender mercy of God. Who could have believed 
that the day of our calamity would so soon have been 
followed by one, in which we should feel called on, 
with the remembrance of past afflictions, to notice 
in so public a manner the striking manifestations of 
his goodness? What heart which was then sensible 
to the destruction of our temporal hopes, can fail to 
recognize his gracious hand in the way by which we 
have hitherto been led ? 

The evil which befell us was a desolation unheard 
of in the accidental ravages of the devouring element. 
It swept away, as with the besom of destruction, our 
_ hopes of worldly prosperity, and laid the temples of 
our God in ashes. Who can, even now, recall the 
dismay of that moment without feelings of alarm! 
Who can describe the horror which spread through 
every breast, to behold, as in a moment, our dwell- 
ings and our sanctuaries enveloped in a whirlwind of 
flame—suddenly to find, in the midst of our homes, 


6 


a burning monster, whose breath was desolation ; 
whose rage no art could tame, no power destroy ; 
who swallowed up the afiluent in a moment, and left 
the widow and the orphan shelterless : who seemed 
to sport in the very miseries he created, and signalized 
himself only by the complete and utter destruction of 
every thing within his reach! Words failed to de- 
scribe our emotions. One deep and universal feeling 
of despair seemed to reign in every breast, and fill 
every countenance with gloom. As far as the eye 
could reach it met nothing but_the unsightly view of 
ruins, except here and there the smouldering of some 
half extinguished pile. Nothing was left but the 
hearth, around whose cheerful blaze we had been 
wont to meet, and which brought to.our remembrance 
scenes which had past, and which with gloomy fore- 
bodings we anticipated would never again. return. 
We went that night to the protection of some friendly 
shelter, but not to our homes. If there could have 
been found language to express, in a short and im- 
pressive manner, our condition, it was the touching 
and significant description of the prophet, “ Our 
holy and our beautiful house where our fathers 
praised thee is burnt up with fire, and all our plea- 
sant things are laid waste.” 

But a new scene has now opened before-us. We 
meet, not on the ruins of past devastation, but in this 
house which has since been reared for the worship of 
God. We see around us, touched with the untiring 
hand of human industry, as with the fabled wand of 
enchantment, these ruins disappearing from our view, 


= 
é 


and in their place whole streets arising at once from 
the ashes, and resounding with the hum of business. 
We cannot view the changes which the past year 
has witnessed, and remember the kindness which in 
every part of our country was felt for our distress, and 
which poured forth to our. relief the most sensible 
tokens of their sympathy, without feeling that the Lord 
hath done great things for us, “ whereof we are glad.” 
Since we are now met to dedicate to his service 
this. building made with hands, let us lift up to him 
our earnest desires that the prediction of the text 
may be accomplished with respect to us; that “ the 
glory of this latter house may be greater than the 
glory of the former.” — 

Without dwelling on the analogy which may be 
presumed to exist between the second Jewish temple 
and our own, I shall proceed to mention some things 
in which the glory of this our latter house may exceed 
the glory of the former, and then make such practical 
remarks as may be suggested by a review of the past 
dealings of God’s providence with us, and by the 
occasion on which we meet. 

I an, first,to notice several things in which the 
glory of this our latter house may exceed the glory 
of the former. 

It is a monument of Christian benevolence, and a 
renewed evidence of G'od’s goodness. We remember 
the despondency with which we once stood on these 
former ruins and contemplated the destruction of our 
hopes. But now we assemble on this spot, conse- 
crated to God, to rejoice in that goodness which hath 


8 


again restored to us the privileges of the sanctuary. 
As we sit here to enjoy the blessings of this sacred 
place, we cannot fail to ask, who, amidst the depriva- 
tion of our worldly hopes, hath administered to our 
relief?’ What hand hath reared from the dust this 
goodly structure, and reanimated our fallen coun- 
tenances ? It isthe kind hand of Christian charity— 
that unseen hand which is moved by a heart of Chris- 
tian sympathy to extend its blessings to all who are 
in need—which searches out with assiduity the hum- 
blest child of want, and while it reaches forth the 
blessings of the Gospel to the poor and untaught of 
other lands, leaves not the unfortunate at home to 
the bitterness of neglect. ‘It is to this hand that we 
owe the privileges of this sacred place. While we 
render to our benefactors, individually and collec- 
tively, the tribute of a grateful heart, let it not be 
forgotten that this house honors the religion we pro- 
fess, because it exhibits the triumph of Christian 
sympathy over the natural selfishness of man. It 
shows the strength of that Christian attachment by 
which the whole spiritual body is united together 
under Christ the living head. It is a token of love, 
and a sure pledge that so long as Christian influence 
shall continue to bless the world, it will be exerted 
to alleviate human wo; to hasten the progress of 
peace and good will till it shall carry mto every land, 
and diffuse among all nations, the holy and benevo- 
lent spirit of Jesus. Let this house, then, be conse- 
crated asa monument of Christian benevolence. Let 
there never be witnessed an appeal made here to our 


9 


Christian sympathies in vain; and from whatever 
quarter it shall rise in its majestic beauty upon our 
eye, let it carry the impression to our hearts, whenever 
the sacred cause of humanity is pleaded, that as ye 
would that others should do unto you, do ye even so 
to them. Let it bear down to other generations a 
testimony which is so honorable to the Gospel which 
we love and cherish. 

But in rendering this just tribute to our Christian 
friends, we are not to forget the goodness of God in 
the direction of this joyful event : we acknowledge 
his gracious hand in the supply of all our mercies ; 
and in this kind regard of our spiritual wants, he 
hath turned our mourning’ into laughter, and our 
heaviness into joy. ‘The man who can look with a 
cold selfishness’ on every thing he possesses, and 
feel that for it he is indebted only to his own wisdom 
and strength, hath not yet learned the elements of 
religion, and will find on every side evidence enough 
to stumble his self-taught faith. But the Christian 
finds his happiness in the very exercise of grateful 
feelings toward God. ‘They are the emotions of a 
child toward its parent. He delights to cherish them. 
They are not servile, but honorable. They honor 
God ; and are appropriate to us as beings constantly 
dependent on his bounty. We should feel that the 
blessings we now enjoy are the gift of his immea- 
surable goodness ; nor should we fail to render to 
him the constant tribute of grateful praise. 

Again ; the more clear and faithful exhibition of the 

) sacred truth, may confer a glory on this house which 


10 


the other did not possess. Itis the dignity and impor- 
tance of the purpose to which this sacred building is — 
appropriated which confers upon it its glory. ‘The an- 
cient Jewish temple was far more magnificent than the 
new, and it had the Urim and.Thummim, and the ark 
of the covenant, which the latter had not; but-it 
wanted that which no worldly splendor could give it, 
the presence and instruction of Jesus. ‘These have 
lost none of their value or their interest by the lapse 
of ages. It still remains true, that of all places;which 
are erected for sacred purposes, that is the most 
glorious where the doctrines of Jesus Christ, and him 
crucified, are the most faithfully preached. Should 


this pulpit be the means of propagating other senti- 


ments than the Gospel of Jesus Christ, it would, in 
the view of his true disciples, like. the ancient temple 


¥ when it had ceased to be a house of prayer, lose all 


its glory. 

But there is reason to Walines not only that this 
event will not occur, but that those who minister here . 
will exceed in faithfulness and success those who 
have gone before them. This belief is not derived 
from a knowledge of defect in the faithfulness of 
former ministrations, but from the character of the 
present age. Since the time when the church was 
disenthralled from her spiritual bondage, there has 
been a gradual improvement in the mode of exhibit- 
ing the truth from the pulpit. During the period of 
the reformation the pulpit was made almost entirely 
subservient to party purposes. It was filled with 
the creatures of the existing government, and those 


oe * ieee 


Nid 


were ejected whose opinions and influence it could 
not control. Little else was to be heard from it 
' but the violent discussions of controversy. In later 
times it is no discredit to the holy men who, lke 
Baxter, Owen, Whitfield, and Edwards, have risen, 
at different periods, with primitive purity and power 
to proclaim the truth, to say that their example was 
not generally followed. Never, at any age, has the 
preaching of the Gospel so generally assumed the 
point, the energy, and success of its primitive minis- 
tration, as at the present time. Its results now 
more nearly resemble the results of apostolic minis- 
tration. ‘The church has been roused up to make 
more vigorous efforts for the advancement of Christ’s 
kingdom than ever; and converts, praying devoted 
converts, are flocking into his fold. Why should 
it not be so, as the day of millenial glory is drawing 
nigh? Itis what, from the predictions of the sacred 
word, we have a right to expect. Nor is there rea- 
son to believe that the truth will not be still more 
_faithfully preached in the ages to come. It is vain 
to presume that we have arrived at that point of 
perfection which is not to be exceeded. O no, my 
brethren. ‘The pulpit is destined to be still more 
faithful to the souls of men. A deeper and stronger 
- tone of piety is to pervade the ministry, and a holier 
incense is to arise from the altar of the sanctuary 
before the glorious days of Zion shall come. There 
will be no new Gospel preached; but this, as to its 
faithfulness and power of application to the con- 
sciences of men, shall be divested of every thing 


12 


which will prevent it from becoming more eminently 
successful in winning souls to Christ. Here may 
stand the man, who, with the holy eloquence of a 
blameless life, and with the spirit and power of an 
apostle, shall more successfully move the heart than 
any who have:gone before him. These walls may 
reverberate with the voice of more earnest and thrill- 
ing appeal to the. wandering sinner. ‘These seats 
may be filled with more urgent inquirers after salva- 
tion. Here the more powerful influences of the Holy 
Spirit may seal the truth, and the solemn stillness of 
the multitudes who assemble here be broken by the 
half suppressed sigh of a wounded spirit, or the more 
audible inquiries of the burdened soul, “ Men and 
brethren what shall we do.” Here, too, may the 
Savior, in that same hour, speak peace to the troubled 
conscience, while angels in heaven rejoice over the 
sinners saved. In all this power and successfulness 
of the truth this house may be more glorious than 
the former. | 

Another event which may confer glory on this 
house is, that it may be the means of cultivating a 
higher state of Christian feeling and effort in those 
who worship here. ‘The period is gone by when. it 
can even be pretended that the church of Christ may 
innocently slumber. The truth, “My kingdom is 
not of this world,” is taking a deep and a strong 
hold on the hearts of Christians. “ Occupy till I 
come,” is a command which is now interpreted, to 
extend down to the lowest talents which are found 
in the ranks of the Redeemer. It is not the minis- 


13 


ters, and the office bearers, in the church only, who 
are accountable as intrusted with sacred duties; but 
it is all who have talents to influence, wealth to pro- 
mote, example to commend, or faith to plead for the 
coming of Christ’s kingdom. ‘There is no danger 
that the church will be subverted by the efforts of 
private Christians for its spiritual advancement, so 
long as these efforts are confined to that sphere of 
duty which the Gospel-assigns them, and are mingled 
with faith, and humble dependence on God. In the 
spiritual body of Christ, “ the eye cannot say to the 
hand I have no need of: thee; nor again the head to 
the feet I have no need of. you;” but’ the influence, 
example, and substance of all, however humble, must 
be consecrated to his service. There is a station 
which every one who has a heart to do something 
for Christ may occupy. In the army of salvation it 
is the prayers and labors of individual Christians 
united which make her a terror to her enemies, and 
mighty, through God, to the pulling down of strong 
holds. She advances in purity and in power, when 
she advances in holiness, and in conformity to the 
spirit of her Savior. The glory of a.church consists 
in the spiritual-mindedness and uniform consistency 
of those who belong to it. This is its real glory. 
This rendered ‘Zion the joy of the whole earth, and 
made the city of God. glorious. - It is not confined 
to the church as a body ; it diffuses itself abroad ; it 
hallows the very doors of the sanctuary, and marks 
that spot as the loveliest where the children of God 
have been most blest. Such were the feelings of 


14 


the Psalmist when he said, “ How amiable are thy — 
tabernacles, O Lord of Hosts ; my soul longeth, yea, — 
even fainteth for the courts of the Lord.” 

The increased devotedness of Christians may be 
the means of confering a glory on this house which 
the other never possessed. Here may the reviving 
and blessed influences of the Spirit be given in answer 
to their prayers, and the mighty wheels of benevolent 
effort be rolled onward which shall bear the joyful 
tidings of salvation to every land. Here may mul- 
titudes press forward and join themselves to those 
who are walking in love and holiness onward to the 
heavenly Canaan. O how glorious will Zion of the 
Lord appear when there shall be nothing to hurt or 
offend in all his holy mountain. When the spirit of 
Christ shall pervade the breast of all who meet here, 
and with one heart and one voice they shall mingle 
their praises. When they shall carry forth into the 
world the sacred emotions which are here enkindled, 
and a living Christianity, with its holy influence, 
shall bless every spot where sin had reigned. 

This house may exceed the former in glory in its 
being honored with the more evident presence of Jesus. 
It is not the visible splendor of a sacred edifice which 
renders it glorious in the eye of the Christian, so 
much as the Savior’s presence which is manifested 
there. There may. be much to catch the eye, and 
awaken’ pride, in the pomp of superficial decora- 
tion, but the Christian’s affections are kindled by — 
communion with that invisible Savior who deigns to 
visit with his blessing every spot where his children 


15 


meet. It is the dignity and the glory of the being 
who invests the place, that in the eye of the Chris- 
tian disciple confers on the meanest solitude which 
is sought for prayer, more real honor than a palace. 
Hence the ancient disciples left the goodly stones of 
the Jewish temple, and all its fictitious glory, for the 
real presence of Jesus in the dens and caves of the 
earth. These were more glorious in their view than 
the accumulated wealth and splendor of ages in a 
place where, through the predominance of a false 
religion, the Savior was excluded. 

If Christ should deign to visit this sanctuary with 
the more evident demonstrations of his presence, it 
would indeed become more glorious in our view. It 
is an event which we ought confidently to expect, 
and most earnestly to seek. He has. promised to be 
in the place where his disciples meet. In proportion 
as they desire his presence it will be given them.. 
We have been taught by our own experience the 
folly of trusting in the world; and it may lead us to 
repose our confidence in that heavenly friend, and 
more faithfully. toserve him. Assembled as his dis- 
ciples, we may more sensibly feel his gracious visita- 
tions. Seasons of communion may become seasons 
of higher joy. “Here may the afflicted receive com- 
fort, the disconsolate be cheered with hope, the de- 
spairing relieved, and the heavy-ladened sinner find 
rest. Here may there be an asylum for the wretched, 
where, into the ear of the Savior, may be poured 
those griefs which are ineffable, except to him who 
knows the heart which feels them, and with an 


16 


unseen, but gracious hand, can dry up their source. 
Here may be erected the mercy seat where Jesus © 
shall give audience and acceptance to the fond parent 
who approaches, with humble faith, to plead for the 
salvation of his children. ‘To those who here gather 
around the sacramental board, the presence of Jesus 
may make it a heaven on the earth. Angels, and 
spirits of the just, invisible, may attend their Lord 
and unite in the praises which shall ascend from 
the hearts of his humble worshippers. In all this 
real excellency of the Savior’s presence; this latter 
house may be more glorious than the former. 

This house may be rendered more glorious by the 
outpouring of the Holy Spirit, and the conversion of 
sinners. "This event is intimately connected with the 
glory of Christ’s church. The conversion of one 
sinner occasions joy in the presence of the angels of 
God; and surely, by the multiplied triumphs of Al- 
mighty grace, the Christian’s heart must be made 
glad. In no respect does the church more nearly 
resemble that of ancient times, than in the revivals of 
religion which are increasing its numbers and adding 
to its graces. Revivals are the gift of God, which he 
may confer how and when he pleases, but which he 
doth not see fit to withhold from the humble faith 
and earnest supplications of his children. 'Till within 
a few years they have been comparatively infrequent. 
In the lapse of a large portion of the visible church — 
from its primeval purity, it had almost been forgotten 
that revivals were its birthright. They were regarded 
as the product of a miraculous age, rather than the 


bY 


result of faith, prayer, and effort, accompanied with 
the blessings of God’s Spirit. When the church 
began to go back to the Bible, and revivals returned 
to bless the world, they were by many viewed as the 
overflowings of enthusiasm, the devices of the enemy. 
Strange that the work of the blessed Jesus, by which 
the eyes of so many blind sinners have been opened, 
should, in this age, and by such men, be regarded as 
the work of Satan! But the saint who, with deeply 
imbued piety had drawn his opinions from the oracles 
of truth, and who while he prayed was watching, 
lifted up his eyes and saw with joy that the angel 
bearing the everlasting Gospel had begun his flight 
through the midst of heaven. 

Revivals are yielding back to the church its primi- 
tive glory. In proportion as their blessings are ex- 
perienced, they will be more earnestly sought. They 
will multiply the friends of the Redeemer, and enable 
the church to sustain and carry forward its mighty 
plans of benevolence. Does the field of the world 
Seem too vast, the people scattered over it too igno- 
rant, and the church too weak? Let her go forward 
with a strong faith, and in the spirit of dependence, 
and God will raise up friends for her. Does she see 
dissension at home, and tremble lest she should be 
obliged to retire before her work is accomplished ? 
Let her still go forward. The Lord shall pour out 
his Spirit, and the waves of dissension shall be rolled 
to the shore. The silver and the gold of her former 
enemies shall be brought with a friendly hand to the 
Lord, and their revilings be turned into the voice of 

iM 


18 


praise. “J will pour out my Spirit,” said God, 
“upon all flesh.” Inthe accomplishment of this event 
the church will be rendered glorious. It will extend 
its glory to the very place where the people of God 
meet; and this house, which is reared with hands, 
may become the spiritual birthplace of many a bur- 
dened soul. Precious in their sight will be the Bethel 
where they find the Lord. Glorious indeed will be 
this sanctuary, if it should become the gate of heaven 
to those who worship here. 

It is the anticipation of this event which confers an 
amazing interest on this sacred place. Why have 
these walls been reared, and these seats filled with a 
crowd of earnest listeners? It is because the Savior 
here meets with his disciples; and, humbled at his 
feet, sinners too may taste his grace. Here they may 
obtain deliverance from sin. Here they may learn 
to sustain every trial which flesh is heir to, and to 
descend into the grave with the song of victory. 
Who can tell what accessions may be made to the 
songs and praises of eternity by the worship of this 
house? ‘The saints in heaven who here find the 
Savior, may look down with interest on this holy 
spot where they first tasted of Redeeming love, and 
it may be held by them in everlasting remembrance. 
Thus are we encouraged to believe that the glory of 
this latter house may exceed the glory of the former 
in all that which constitutes the real glory of an earthly 
temple. 

I proceed, secondly, to make such practical re- 
marks as are suggested by the past dealing of God’s 


19 


providence with us, and by the occasion on which we 
meet. 

We are taught by our past affliction to form a 
right estimate of the value of earthly things, and to 
lay wp our treasure in heaven. When we behold the 
hopes which have been long fastened on worldly 
objects, in a moment dissipated, it should be an in- 
structive lesson to admonish us.not to estimate them 
beyond their real value. How often do we hear it 
said that riches take to themselves wings and fly 
away. But we cannot believe it till we have proved 
it by our own experience. We are unwilling to be 
taught by others, but must make the trial ourselves 
of how little value the world is, compared with our 
souls. Happy will it be for us, if we are not left to 
gain this knowledge in eternity. ‘The counsel of 
God’s word is, that the time is short. “ It remaineth 
that they that weep, be as those that wept not; and 
they that rejoice, as though they rejoiced not; and 
they that buy, as though they possessed not; and 
they that use this world, as not abusing it, for the 
fashion of this world passeth away.” This we 
are convinced is true; yet we do not have that 
abiding sense of it which is given by the actual 
vision of our hopes on the wing to leave us. Can 
there be an event which should more deeply im-. 
press us with the transitory nature of earthly things, 
than that which is this day brought to our remem- 
brance! It is the dictate of true wisdom to estimate 
things according to their real worth. But if, notwith- 
standing the evidence of the sacred truth, and the 


20 


light we derive from our past experience, we are not 
yet convinced that it is. best to lay up our treasures 
in heaven, we need but wait for the judgment day, 
when we shall see our error in the light of a confla- 
grated world. 

Here the treasures we lay up are corruptible. A 
thousand dangers lay in wait to strip the rich man of 
his wealth, or beset the path of him who would be- 
come rich; they haunt his sleeping moments, and fill 
him with constant alarm. But the man who lays up 
his treasures in heaven is secure against disappoint- 
ment. He has peace of mind in their possession, | 
and eternal satisfaction in their enjoyment ; for moth 
and rust cannot corrupt, neither can thieves break 
through and steal, and no devouring element can 
reach them. 

The satisfaction which a man enjoys by the pos- 
session of wealth is but momentary. Admit that 
for threescore years and ten he shall have undisputed 
possession of all that he can use, yet then he will be 
poor. Death will render him as poor as the meanest 
slave. We brought nothing into this world, and it is 
certain that we can carry nothing out of it. But he 
who lays up his treasures in heaven is rich: As he 
advances in life, the richer he becomes in expectancy, 
till death puts him in possession of it all. The man 
whose wealth is on the earth, at the judgment day 
will rise a poor man, shorn of all his splendor. Here 
on the earth, it is true, are the monuments of his 
pride, his houses, his lands, and his fine estates; but 
then he can enjoy them no longer. The world is in 


21 


flames, and all is lost. But the Christian’s posses- 
sions are not imperiled by the changes of that dread 
moment. His riches no man can take from him. He 
will find them all when he shall awake in the like- 
ness of his Redeemer : and when all things temporal 
shall be dissolved he can stand upon the smouldering 
ruins of the world, and feel that its loss is his un- 
speakable gain. 

We may learn the importance of being constantly 
prepared to meet every danger to which we are ex- 
posed. ‘The suddenness of our temporal calamities, 
in general, leaves no time for preparation. ‘They 
come as in a moment. Like the traveler in the 
Arabian desert who sees the approaching whirlwind, 
and scarcely essays to escape before he is buried 
beneath a mountain of sand ; so unexpected are the 
evils we suffer. Perhaps when we. think all is pros- 
perous, and sit contentedly beneath the shade of our 
gourd, there is a worm at its root which suddenly 
cuts down the object of our hope. Death, like a 
strong man armed, breaks into our enclosure and 
bears off a beloved friend. We had often watched 
over that friend in sickness, and seen him recover, 
and we fondly expect that it will be so again. It is 
not till that eye is set, that pulse ceases to beat, and 
that dying gasp, that we feel that he is gone. Death 
is at last as unexpected as if he had not signified his 
approach. ‘Thus it is in the case of a dying friend, 
and so it may be with us. If we are not prepared 
for death while in health, we shall not be prepared 
on its approach. If we have not that reconciliation 


22 


to God, through the blood of his Son, which will arm 
us against every worldly fear and danger, we shall 
not possess it when that fear is awakened, and that 
danger comes. We may insure our property against 
the devouring element, but no assurance will stand 
the soul against the fires of God’s wrath, but that 
which is now effected by believing in the Son of 
God. Let your faith then now fasten on the Savior. 
Make him your friend who hath said, “I will never 
leave thee, nor forsake thee,” and you shall be sus- 
tained by his arm when all who do not make that 
arm their trust shall sink in everlasting ruin. 

My friends, are you still impenitent ? What means 
shall God use more effectually to convince you of the 
vanity of your worldly hopes than those which he 
has already employed? Say not that if we had lived 
in the days of the apostles, when signs and wonders 
were wrought, we should have believed; but open 
your eyes to the course you now pursue in the midst 
of the warnings of his providence, and the invita- 
tions ef his mercy. Let the scenes of terror you 
have witnessed remind you of the judgment day, 
when the Almighty Judge shall descend in all his 
pomp and majesty from heaven, and the voice of the © 
archangel shall break the slumbers of the dead. Sud- 
den will be the occurrence of that event. Weak, 
indeed, is language to paint the scenes. which will 
then burst on your view. As it was in the day when 
God rained fire out of heaven upon Sodom, such will 
be the terror of that day to the wicked. They shall 
call on the mountains and on the rocks to hide them, 


23 


from the face of him that sitteth on the throne. The 
cloud of God’s indignation is growing darker and 
darker over your head; and when on that day, like 
the collected thunders of the universe, it shall burst 
upon the wicked, where will you stand; what power 
can shield you from the arm of the angry Judge? 

_ But see yonder! Who are those arrayed in white 
robes, with palms in their hands? No terror clouds 
their brow—no wrath drives them headlong down 
the abyss. Hark! What music rises from those harps 
of gold? What rapturous songs of joy burst from 
those lips? What shout of victory is that? It is the 
voice of the redeemed—of that multitude which no 
man can number, returning to Zion with songs, and 
everlasting joy upon their heads. O happy, happy 
throng! who have seen the miserable end of all who 
trusted in the world, and go now to enjoy the trea- 
sures laid up for you in heaven—in that world where- 
there is no night, and they need no candle, neither 
light of the sun, for the Lord God shall them light, 
and they shall reign for ever and ever. 

Do you enjoy, my Christian friends, the glorious 
hope of thus meeting your Savior? Cultivate, I be- 
seech you, a nearer and more intimate communion 
with him. Let it be the object of your life to glorify 
God your Redeemer. Be warned by his providence 
to fix on him your hopes, so shall you abide safe 
beneath the shadow of his wings. 

Finally ; the circumstances of mercy in which we 
are met demand of us entire devotedness to his ser- 
vice. The goodress of God hath shone out from 


24 


behind the cloud which for a season obscured his 
glory. Our terror is exchanged for joy; our despon-' 
dency for hope; and we are now enabled, with the 
eye of faith, to view the glory of God to be displayed 
in this sanctuary. What, then, are the emotions of 
your hearts, who, for the first time, assemble here ? 
Is it your desire that the glory of this latter house 
may exceed the glory of the former! Do you wish to 
behold saints rejoicing here, and sinners flocking to 
the Savior? Is your heart kindled by the distant pros- 
pect of the coming glory of Christ’s kingdom; and 
do your prayers even now ascend for his blessing to 
be poured out upon this sacred place? Remember 
that the victory is not yet won. You have duties to 
perform; and on the faithful performance of them 
depends, in a high degree, the future glory of this 
church. It depends on you whether the labors of a 
devoted, faithful, and self-denying ministry, shall here 
be sustained ; or whether, through your worldliness or 
indifference, it shall fail of that success which your cor- 
dial support and co-operation can give it. It depends 
on you whether the Gospel shall here be preached 
in its purity, and the flame of piety continue to burn 
with increasing brightness, or its light shall become 
feeble and extinct. It depends on you whether this 
house shall be a house of prayer, and promote the 
peace, union and holiness of this church, or be the 
occasion of its dissension and ruin. It depends on 
you, under God, whether the abundant refreshings of 
his grace shall be here enjoyed, or the fair hopes of 
Zion, through your sterility, be blasted. It depends 


pas, 


on you whether the plans formed for the glory of 
Christ’s kingdom shall be carried forward; or fail, 
to the derision of the churches enemies, and the dis- 
honor of God. | 

Whether this church will share or not in the pros- 
pective glory of the Redeemer’s kingdom, one thing 
is certain; that if you who enjoy these sacred privi- 
leges fail to improve them, it may be the burden of 
your sorrow for eternity, that here there was a feast 
of love spread, but you would not taste; that here 
the streams of mercy flowed, but you would not 
drink; that here the gate of heaven was open, but 
you would not enter it. May this day, in which we 
dedicate this sanctuary, be the day of your consecra- 
tion to God. Let your heart now go forth to meet 
- the Savior; renounce your sins, and by faith in Jesus 
lay hold on life eternal. 

In the prospect of the coming glory of Christ’s 
kingdom, and with earnest prayer that God would 
slorify himself by granting the blessings of his pre- 
sence to those who worship here, it becomes us 
solemnly to set apart this house for his service. . 
Come, then, my brethren, and unite with me in dedi- 
cating this sacred structure to him. 

O Gop, who art invisible, but who with thy pre- 
sence dost visit every spot where thy children meet, 
this sanctuary, reared from the ashes, the token of 
thy love, we dedicate to thee! Farner in heaven, 
who dost watch over thy creatures with paternal ten- 
derness, and whose severest chastisements are min- 
_ gled with mercy, we consecrate it to thee ! 

3 


26 


Jesus our Savior, Lamb of God, who died for us, 
and with thy blood dost cleanse away our sin, to 
thee we dedicate it! Hoxty Spirit, the Life of our 
souls, our Sanctifier and Comforter, we consecrate it 
to thee! Let these walls, O Gop, this sacred desk, 
these seats, and all these thy creatures who bow before 
thee, be for ever devoted to thy service. Withhold 
not thy presence on account of our sins, but fill this 
place with thy glory. Delight to bless this sanctuary. 
Here meet with thy children, and satisfy the desires 
of their souls. Here may the Gospel be preached 
in its purity, and be accompanied with the abundant 
tokens of thy favor. May the glory of this latter 
house be greater than the glory of the former. Let 
those who worship here love thy sacred name, and 
bear down thy praise to other generations. 

Impart thy blessing to those whose Christian kind- 
ness we have experienced. May they, with us, be 
found at last among the ransomed of the Lord, in 
that world where thy glorious presence is seen and 
felt. And when our worship on earth shall be finished, 
let us rise with songs of joy to recommence thy praise 
in thine everlasting temple on high. And to God only 
wise, the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, shall be ren- 
dered eternal praises. Amen. - 


APRPBNDIUEK. 


The account which is given of the destruction of Fayetteville, in the 
following letters and communication, may be interesting to those who wish 
to retain the remembrance of that event. The first letter was written on 
the night of the fire, and conveyed the first intelligence of this calamity to 
many who reside in the northern section of the country. It was my in- 
tention to have written a narrative of the principal facts, and appended it 
to this discourse; but it is presumed more interest will attach itself to those 
descriptions which were given at the time. 


To the Editor of the National Gazette. 


F'ayETTrevitie, N.C., May 29, 1831. 


Srn—FAYETTEVILLE IS NO MORE !—This morning the sun 
rose upon us in its beauty, and with gladdened hearts we flocked to the 
churches of our God—now we are inruins. But two stores of all that this 
place contained are standing. The rest are entirely consumed. Nothing 
but stacks of tottering chimneys remain to tell what we once were. 

Except in the outskirts of the town, and in those streets which are a little 
off from the centre of our town, not a dwelling house remains. All the 
churches, with the exception of the Methodist, which is distant from the 
centre of the town, are destroyed. The academy, the two splendid 
hotels, our printing offices, the two banks, the old state house, every apothe- 
cary’s shop, and some of our mills, are in ashes. 

The fire communicated, (it is supposed,) from a chimney, precisely in the 

centre of the town, and spread with inconceivable rapidity through.every 
street. It was just after the congregation had been dismissed, about half 
past 12 o’clock, when the fire was first discovered, and in less than one 
hour and a half, our village was literally a “ sea of flame.” The goods were 
consumed in the streets, the engines were burnt at their stands. SSome who 
had property removed to a distance in expectation of safety, were disap- 
pointed; too soon the devouring element reached them. The churches, 
though at a distance from each other, were soon in flames. The tall steeple 
of the Presbyterian church seemed a pyramid of fire; for a while it stood 
firm, soon the bell descended with a crash—the steeple trembled, tottered 
and fell. The Episcopal church, which apparently caught at the same 
time, was soon in ashes. 


28 


As I wandered through the outskirts of the place to administer relief, so 
far as possible, to the distressed, my heart sunk withinme. The sick were 
borne out of their houses, and were lying on pallets in the street. Others, 
faint and exhausted, were reclining on the beds which had been thrown out. 
Every moment our ears were stunned with the explosion of powder, to 
demolish the buildings, which might stay the flames. But although many 
were thus levelled, there was not strength to pull the timbers from the reach 
of the conflagration. 

It is impossible to paint the heart rending scenes which every where 
occurred. Parents were inquiring for their children, and children for their 
parents, and in every countenance reigned despair. 

I have been round the fire in every direction, and the above statements 
are the result of my own observation. From where I now write I can per- 
ceive, for the extent of nearly half a mile, the light which flashes up from 
the smouldering ruins. A very small portion of the property was insured. 
Most of the people lost their all! Our distress may be partially imagined, 
but cannot be justly conceived of. Much bodily injury was experienced, but, 
so far as it is at present known, no lives were lost. What results may be 
ascertained when our friends are collected, it is impossible to say. 


Yours with respect, 
HENRY A. ROWLAND, Junr. 


To the Editors of the New-York Journal of Commerce. iy 


FayEtTevitte, N. C., May 30, 1831. 


GENTLEMEN—By this time you must have heard that FayerTevi._e is 
IN ASHES. But two, or at most three stores, at the foot of Haymount, are all 
that remain standing; all the rest are entirely consumed. Three churches, 
the academy, the two banks, the two splendid hotels, the old state house, 
the printing offices, and as nearly as can be estimated, one hundred and five 
stores, independently of warehouses, dwelling houses, and out houses of 
various descriptions, and mills, occupying an area of about half a square 
mile, are completely burnt up. The fire took yesterday soon after the 
several congregations were dismissed from worship, about fifteen minutes 
before one o'clock, and springing from roof to roof, it spread with such 
amazing rapidity that in one hour and a half the column of smoke and 
flame seemed to rise from the whole town atonce. I have often witnessed 
conflagrations in our cities, but never before did I behold an universal anni- 
hilation. FExcept the scattering houses in the streets off from our village, 
the dwelling houses are all destroyed. The goods which were thrown into 
the streets, or conveyed, as it was supposed, at a safe distance from the 
flames, except the few that were saved by repeated removals, were all con- 
sumed. Every inflammable substance over the whole extent of the field of 


29 


wind is reduced to ashes. Merciful Heaven! to what destruction hast thou 
brought us! was the involuntary expression of every heart. 

From the commencement of the conflagration every thing that was pos- 
sible was done to arrest the flames. The light wood pine buildings which 
were interspersed with the others, and the wooden warehouses, were but 
tinder. The engines played but for a few minutes, and were then deserted 
and consumed. Powder seemed our only hope, and on every side was 
heard the thunder and the shock of buildings which were blown to pieces. 
This, which was finally the instrument of arresting the fire in several 
directions, would have sooner been attended with success, had there been 
force sufficient to have dragged away the shattered timbers; but so ex- 
hausted had all become, and so rapid the march of the devouring element, 
that it became a hopeless attempt. Our only alternative was to retreat 
before it, and wait a favorable issue to our exertions. In about three hours 
and a half the fire assuaged; in so short a time was all this ruin ac- 
complished. 

The impression made on our hearts is indescribable; despair seems to 
reign in every countenance. Not a tear is shed; the horror stricken feelings 
of our poor sufferers have not yielded to tears. 

Weare now crowded together in the outskirts of the town, and many last 
night slept in the open air. The sufferings of our people must be immense ; 
some of our most wealthy citizens, are stript of all their’ property, 
and have not where to lay their heads. Not even their clothes 
were saved. Though so far as can be ascertained no lives were lost, yet 
so exhausted and faint were many that they threw themselves down upon 
whatever chanced to be near them, and others fell down in the street, and 
were obliged to be carried home. We learn that numbers are sick; and to 
complete our misfortunes, all our medicine shops and medicine is destroyed. 

But in the multitude of our afflictions we have reason to praise the Lord 
that our lives were spared. Amidst the confusion, and the explosions which 
occurred, it would seem that nothing less than the special protection of the 
Almighty defended us from danger. We have also reason to rejoice that 
our flight is not in the winter. The season is peculiarly favorable. It is 
our hope, that by the blessing of Providence, before the season for the fall 
business shall arrive, such provision may be made by our mérchants for 
the carrying on of business that, our lives may be sustained, so that to the 
evils of beggary, may not be added those of starvation. 


Yours with respect, 


HENRY A. ROWLAND, Junr. 


30 


DESTRUCTION OF FAYETTEVILLE. 


Part of the communication by the Editors of the North Carolina Journal, 
and Carolina bserver. 


“ About 15 minutes after 12 o’clock A. M., on Sunday last, the citizens of 
Fayetteville were alarmed by the cry of Fire, and the other signals usual 
on such occasions. The roof of the kitchen belonging to Mr. James Kyle, 
near his brick building lately erected at the Northwest corner of Market 
Square, was found to be in a blaze, but to so inconsiderable an extent, that it 
was believed the efforts made to extinguish it would certainly be successful. 
Deceitful hope! They were all unavailing. In a very few moments the 
flames extended themselves to the large brick building, and to many small 
wooden buildings in its vicinity. Ina few minutes more the roof of the Town 
House caught, and that building was soon enveloped in flames. From 
thence four large torrents of flame were seen pouring in as many directions 
along the four principal streets of the town with a rapidity and force which 
defied all stay or resistance. In a western direction the fire extended itself 
up Hay-street, on the right hand a short distance beyond the point of its 
intersection with Old-street, extending backwards in a northern direction to 
the very edge of the creek, embracing in its devouring sweep the interme- 
diate buildings on Old-street and Maiden-lane. And on the left as far as 
Mr. Cannte’s wooden building, being the next house below Mr. ‘John Mc 
Rae’s long row of wooden buildings, at the Wagon Yard, extending back 
southwardly to Franklin-street. Along Green-street the flames progressed 
northwardly, crossing the creek, and consuming in their transit Mr. Eccles’s 
mill, store, and dwelling-house, and the handsome bridge erected a few 
years since by the town, sweeping before them many valuable buildings, 
including the Episcopal Church, on the right hand side of the street, until 
they reached the private residence of Jas. Seawell, Esq. which was saved, 
by a providential turn of the wind and the active exertions of a very few 
persons with water and blankets. On the left hand side of the street they 
progressed until they were stopped at the house of J. W. Wright, Esq. by 
blowing it up, and extended back until they reached the house of T. L. 
Hybart, Esq. which was saved by exertions of great activity and perse- 
verance. Along Person-street they destroyed every building on both sides 
as far eastwardly as a few doors below Liberty Point, including the store of 
Mr. Wm. McIntyre, situate on the opposite point formed by the junction of 
Person-street and Cool Spring Alley, extending back northwardly as far as 
the edge of the creek, consuming the Presbyterian church, Catholic chapel, 
and all the other buildings, (with the exception of the dwelling-house, mills, 
and warehouse of Mr. James H. Hooper, all of which were saved with 
much exertion, ) including the buildings on both sides of Bow-street. Along 
Gillespie-street, the flames extended as far as the State Bank building, on 
the right hand side, which being nearly fire proof enabled the citizens to 
contend successfully with the flames at that point, and to save that building. 


31 


On the eastern side of the street they destroyed every building to a point 
opposite the State Bank building, and extending eastwardly so as to include 
all but three of the buildings on Dick-street, between Person and Mum- 
ford-streets. 

“It is impossible to form any correct estimate of the entire loss in real 
estate. There probably is no instance in history of so large a portion of a 
town being consumed, where it was not the result of voluntary human 
agency. ‘The fire continued to rage with unabated fury until about six 
o’clock, when, by the blowing up of houses, and the other means usual on 
such occasions, it was suddenly deprived of food for its raging appetite. 

“The public buildings destroyed were, the Town House, the Cape Fear 
Bank, the Catholic Chapel, the Presbyterian and Episcopal Churches, the 
Academy, the Layfayette and Mansion Hotels. The building in which 
the United States’ Bank did business, and the office of the Agency of the 
State Bank, were also destroyed, but as they were merely rented for that 
purpose, they were not put.down as public buildings. The private build- 
ings destroyed, in number about six HUNDRED, would require a long cata- 
logue to enumerate particularly. 

“But besides the buildings, immense quantities of Books, valuable papers, 
money, household furniture, goods, wares, merchandise and produce, were 
destroyed. Where the fire first broke out, persons near the scene would 
remove such things to what were then supposed places of safety, but by the 
time they would get them fairly deposited they would discover the flames in 
hot pursuit of them, and would be driven to farther efforts for the security of 
their valuables, until driven from place to place, and completely worn down 
with their exertions, they would at last be compelled to abandon them 
to the power of the merciless flames:—a very small portion of any of these 
articles was saved. The amount destroyed it is difficult to estimate. We 
cannot undertake to offer a correct list of the houses, or even point out the 
principal sufferers. It would be infinitely more easy to make a catalogue of 
those of our citizens that have not suffered.” _~ 


The loss on this occasion has been variously estimated, from a million to a 
million and a half of dollars. No sooner was it known than the sympathies 
of the whole country awakened, and contributions were made for the relief 
of the town. In Raleigh and Wilmington prompt measures were taken to 
meet with kindness and liberality our necessities. The return of every mail 
added fresh encouragement. ‘The contributions were unexampled in libe- 
rality from every part of our country ; and it is to. these, that in a great 
measure, we are indebted for our returning prosperity. Our merchants 
were received with the greatest kindness by the merchants of New-York, 
who, in addition to their own severe losses by the fire, contributed liberally 
to the town, and assisted, by the credit which they extended to our mer- 
chants, to re-establish our business. The amount contributed for the relief 
of the town was not far from a hundred thousand dollars, which was distri- 
buted to those for whom it was designed. 


oe 


As no part of the fund contributed to the town could be appropriated to 
the rebuilding of the church, and as there was no prospect that it could be 
rebuilt unless special effort were made for this purpose, a successful effort 
having been made just before the fire to free it of a debt of several thousand 
dollars, and as the means could not now be obtained in the town, it was 
resolved by the session to be expedient to solicit aid to rebuild the church. 
The following was adopted by the session, and put into my hands. 


STATE OF NORTH CAROLINA. 
Church Session of the Presbyterian Church of Fayetteville, June 4th, 1831. 


The Lord, in his righteous providence, has seen fit to desolate our town by 
conflagration. The devouring element, in four short hours, has laid our high 
places waste, and our temples and dwellings in ashes. Nothing remains to 
tell the place where Fayetteville was, but naked chimneys and crumbling 
walls. Our worldly substance is gone; and we desire, more than ever, to 
seek an enduring substance—a heavenly inheritance. But, alas! we have 
no shelter but the broad canopy of heaven, under which to meet and render 
praise and homage to the Most High. To him our petitions are directed, 
beseeching that he would, of his infinite goodness and mercy, open the hearts 
of the friends of Zion to contribute of their substance for the rebuilding of 
our church. 

Our much respected pastor elect, the Rev. Henry A. Rowland, Jun., is 
authorized and requested, on behalf of our congregation, to solicit funds for 
this object. We bid him God speed: and we humbly pray that every giver 
may be rewarded ten-fold in this life, and, in the world to come, may receive 
life everlasting. 

DAVID D. SALMON, 


H. POTTER, Elders composing 
D. ANDERSON, the Session of the 
K. STEDMAN, Presbyterian Ch. 

- GEO. M‘NEILL, at Fayetteville. 
D. A. DAVIS, 


It was found, in a short time, to be impossible to visit every town where it 
would be desirable to solicit aid; and, accordingly, the following letter, to- 
gether with the sessional paper above, was printed in the form of a circular, 
and sent to many churches, from which collections were afterward received. 


“ Our holy and our beautiful house, where our fathers praised thee, is 
burned up with fire: and all our pleasant things are laid waste. 
Isaiah, 64 : 11. 


It is believed that history does not record so great a proportionable de- 
struction of a town by an accidental fire, as that of Fayetteville. We had 


33 


just returned from church, on Sabbath morning, the 29th of May, when a 
fire was discovered near the centre of our town, which in less than four 
hours reduced the most of it toashes. One hundred and five stores, which, 
with the exception of three, were all that we had, with their numerous 
warehouses, and most of their contents, three churches, the two banking 
houses, the two spacious hotels, the old state house, the academy, bridges, 
mills, and very many dwelling houses, amounting in all to about six HuN- 
DRED buildings, are wholly consumed. 

Our distress is inconceivably great. Through the benevolent exertions 
of our fellow citizens in different parts of the country, we have the prospect 
of obtaining relief from bodily suffering. But in this provision for our tem- 
poral wants, we do not see the re-establishment of our religious privileges. 
Tt is now, since our worldly prospects are blighted, that we desire more than 
ever the privileges and consolations of the Gospel. We do cling with fond- 
ness to the expectation of again meeting God in his sanctuary. Itis a hope 
we delight to cherish; and the anticipation of disappointment in this, would 
throw a deeper gloom over us than did the smoking ruins of all that we 
possessed. 

Were our church only consumed, we should possess the means to erect 
another; but now all our worldly substance is gone, and without aid a large 
and flourishing congregation must be annihilated. But, though reduced to 
poverty, we are here, and will here remain. Here are our connections, our 
business, and our hopes of rising prosperity. The town, from its local situ- 
ation and advantages of trade, must, and undoubtedly will be built up; but, 
in this case, it will be years before we shall be able to erect a church. In 
that time, without a sanctuary, the flock of Christ will be scattered. 

The rebuilding of our church at this time would be a great public advan- 
tage. It would give stability to our population, and confidence to the com- 
munity and to our back country in the re-establishment of our town. It 
would thus tend to prevent our trade from being diverted, and our future 
prospects ruined. 'T’o the prosperity of the cause of Christ itis every thing— 
it is our all. The walls are mostly standing, and we are informed by a good 
architect, that seven thousand dollars would repair it ina plain way, which 
is much less than a wooden building of the same size could be provided for. 
It originally cost about twenty-six thousand dollars, and was entirely free 
from debt. Our commodious session house, adjacent, was also destroyed, 
just at a season when of all others such a loss is most severely felt. 

Such are the facts in our case, which, notwithstanding the multitude of 
claims on your benevolence, we hope will share your favorable regards. 
Whatever assistance you may be disposed to render us, will be received 
with the grateful acknowledgments of a people who, while their ability 
lasted, have.ever opened their hearts to relieve the distressed. 


In behalf of the Presbyterian Church and Congregation of Fayetteville, 
HENRY A. ROWLAND, Jun. 


o4 
noe 

Many of the principal towns in the northern section of the country were 
visited; and from many churches at the south, and from places which were 
not visited, donations were received. The funds collected amounted to_a 
sum almost sufficient to replace our church and session house. “ 

Some individuals of the second church in Troy, learning that applica- 
tion had been made to a founder to recast our bell, generously took upon 


themselves the task of supplying the loss of metal, which was great, an? 


furnish us with a new bell. The motto cast on it is as follows: 


IN FLAMMIS PERII XXIX MAU, A. D. MDCCCXXXI. 
MUNERE AMICORUM E CINERE SURREXI. 


I perceive that the same motto has since been substantially adopted for 
ihe bell of the Episcopal church. .The plan of the church was furnished 
gratuitously by Messrs. Town & Davis, Architects, New-York. The 
builders were Messrs. Wright & Wooster. It is a plain, neat, and sub- 


stantial building, and will accommodate more than a thousand persons 
with seats. 


| 


THE END. 


* 


